US7418663B2 — Contact picker interface

Claim 1

Independent Claim 204 words

In a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for intuitively obtaining contact information from at least one contact information directory, the method comprising: detecting focus input directed at a type-in line that is displayed at the display device, the type-in line being configured to receive desired contact information for enabling a desired function to be performed with the contact information, wherein the focus input comprises at least one of tabbing a prompt into the type-in line or hovering a pointer over the type-in line; and automatically in response to detecting the tabbing of the prompt into the type-in line or the hovering of the pointer over the type-in line, and prior to receiving any input typed into the type-in line, obtaining and displaying a list of expected contacts based on a likelihood of selection criteria, each of the listed expected contacts being obtained from the at least one contact information directory; wherein upon receiving typed input received into the type-in line, the method further includes obtaining and displaying a list of unexpected contacts, which is different than the list of expected contacts.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 204 words

In a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for intuitively obtaining contact information from at least one contact information directory, the method comprising: detecting focus input directed at a type-in line that is displayed at the display device, the type-in line being configured to receive desired contact information for enabling a desired function to be performed with the contact information, wherein the focus input comprises at least one of tabbing a prompt into the type-in line or hovering a pointer over the type-in line; and automatically in response to detecting the tabbing of the prompt into the type-in line or the hovering of the pointer over the type-in line, and prior to receiving any input typed into the type-in line, obtaining and displaying a list of expected contacts based on a likelihood of selection criteria, each of the listed expected contacts being obtained from the at least one contact information directory; wherein upon receiving typed input received into the type-in line, the method further includes obtaining and displaying a list of unexpected contacts, which is different than the list of expected contacts.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 40 words

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the likelihood of selection criteria includes an aging property, such that contacts that have been selected more recently than other contacts have a greater likelihood of selection than the other contacts.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein likelihood of selection criteria is based on non-textual characteristics.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the non-textual characteristics include image mapping characteristics.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the image mapping characteristics include facial attributes.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the listed contacts is associated with multiple different values that can be used to provide the desired contact information.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method as recited in claim 6 , wherein the at least one of the listed contacts is displayed in a manner that is distinct from a manner in which other contacts are displayed in the list of contacts.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 42 words

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein upon receiving a selection input that selects one of the listed contacts, the method further includes displaying the desired contact information, the desired contact information corresponding to the selected one of the contacts.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the contacts displayed in the list are displayed with the desired contact information and prior to being selected by the user.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 48 words

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein upon receiving a selection input that selects one of the listed contacts, the method further includes providing contact information associated with the selected one of the listed contacts to an application that is configured to use the contact information.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein multiple contacts can be selected from the list and batched together, such that contact information corresponding to each of the selected contacts will be presented to the application.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

A computer program product comprising one or more recordable computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for implementing the method recited in claim 1 .

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 42 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 12 , wherein the likelihood of selection criteria includes an aging property, such that contacts that have been selected more recently than other contacts have a greater likelihood of selection than the other contacts.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 12 , wherein likelihood of selection criteria is based on non-textual characteristics.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 12 , wherein at least one of the listed contacts is associated with multiple different values that can be used to provide the desired contact information.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 41 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 15 , wherein the at least one of the listed contacts is displayed in a manner that is distinct from a manner in which other contacts are displayed in the list of contacts.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 44 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 12 , wherein upon receiving a selection input that selects one of the listed contacts, the method further includes displaying the desired contact information, the desired contact information corresponding to the selected one of the contacts.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 12 , wherein the contacts displayed in the list are displayed with the desired contact information and prior to being selected by the user.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 50 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 12 , wherein upon receiving a selection input that selects one of the listed contacts, the method further includes providing contact information associated with the selected one of the listed contacts to the application that is configured to use the contact information.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 39 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 12 , wherein multiple contacts can be selected from the list and batched together, such that contact information corresponding to each of the selected contacts will be presented to the application.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 60 words

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the listed contacts are displayed with two visually distinct groupings of contacts, including a first grouping of contacts and a second grouping of contacts, and wherein the grouping of contacts determined to contain contacts that are the most likely to be selected contacts is displayed above the second grouping of contacts.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 77 words

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the list of expected contacts comprises a first list of expected contacts and wherein the method further comprises an act of automatically displaying a second list in response to receiving input selecting a first selected contact from the first list of expected contacts and wherein the second list comprises a plurality of contact information associated with the first selected contact and that is displayed with the first list.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 196 words

In an application programming interface on a computing system that is connected with a display device, a method for intuitively providing contact information to an application from at least one contact information directory, the method comprising; receiving a request from an application for a contact picker dialog to provide a list of one or more contacts having related contact information that can be used by the application to perform a desired function, the request from the application specifying one or more required characteristics that each of the one or more contacts must possess in order to be listed by the contact picker dialog; in response to the request, generating a list of contacts that each possess the one or more required characteristics and that are obtained from at least one contact information directory; displaying the list of contacts in an order that is based on a likelihood of selection criteria; and in response to a user input selecting at least one of a contact and the contact information related to the contact, providing the contact information to the application; wherein the one or more required characteristics comprises installation of particular software on a contact's computing system.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 196 words

In an application programming interface on a computing system that is connected with a display device, a method for intuitively providing contact information to an application from at least one contact information directory, the method comprising; receiving a request from an application for a contact picker dialog to provide a list of one or more contacts having related contact information that can be used by the application to perform a desired function, the request from the application specifying one or more required characteristics that each of the one or more contacts must possess in order to be listed by the contact picker dialog; in response to the request, generating a list of contacts that each possess the one or more required characteristics and that are obtained from at least one contact information directory; displaying the list of contacts in an order that is based on a likelihood of selection criteria; and in response to a user input selecting at least one of a contact and the contact information related to the contact, providing the contact information to the application; wherein the one or more required characteristics comprises installation of particular software on a contact's computing system.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 35 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein the request for the contact picker dialog is received from the application in response to focus input being directed at an object displayed by the application.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method as recited in claim 24 , wherein the object is a type-in line.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein the contact information includes at least one of a name, an address and a telephone number.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein likelihood of selection criteria is based on non-textual characteristics.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method as recited in claim 27 , wherein the non-textual characteristics include image mapping characteristics.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method as recited in claim 28 , wherein the image mapping characteristics include facial attributes.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein the at least one of the listed contacts is displayed in a manner that is distinct from a manner in which other contacts are displayed in the list of contacts.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 34 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein upon receiving a selection input that selects one of the listed contacts, the method further includes displaying the contact information related to the selected contact.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein the contacts displayed in the list are displayed with the related contact information and prior to being selected by the user.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 40 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein the likelihood of selection criteria includes an aging property, such that contacts that have been selected more recently than other contacts have a greater likelihood of selection than the other contacts.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 23 words

A computer program product comprising one or more recordable computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for implementing the method recited in claim 23 .

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 37 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein the request for the contact picker dialog is received from the application in response to focus input being directed at an object displayed by the application.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 17 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 35 , wherein the object is a type-in line.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 20 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein likelihood of selection criteria is based on non-textual characteristics.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 41 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein the at least one of the listed contacts is displayed in a manner that is distinct from a manner in which other contacts are displayed in the list of contacts.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 36 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein upon receiving a selection input that selects one of the listed contacts, the method further includes displaying the contact information related to the selected contact.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 32 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein the contacts displayed in the list are displayed with the related contact information and prior to being selected by the user.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 42 words

A computer program product as recited in claim 34 , wherein the likelihood of selection criteria includes an aging property, such that contacts that have been selected more recently than other contacts have a greater likelihood of selection than the other contacts.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein the likelihood of selection criteria corresponds directly to the one or more required characteristics specified by the application.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein the one or more required characteristics comprises a stored phone number.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein the one or more required characteristics comprises residence within a particular region.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 94 words

A method as recited in claim 23 , wherein a particular contact from the list of contacts is associated with a plurality of corresponding contact information values that can be used by the application to perform the desired function, and wherein the particular contact is displayed within the list of contacts in a different manner than a manner in which one or more other contacts, which each have only a single corresponding contact information value that can be used by the application to perform the desired function, are displayed in the list of contacts.

Claim 48

Independent Claim 227 words

A method in a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for intuitively obtaining contact information from at least one contact information directory, the method comprising: detecting focus input directed at a type-in line that is displayed at the display device, the type-in line being configured to receive desired contact information for enabling a desired function to be performed with the contact information, wherein the focus input comprises at least one of tabbing a prompt into the type-in line or hovering a pointer over the type-in line; automatically in response to detecting the tabbing of the prompt into the type-in line or the hovering of the pointer over the type-in line, and prior to receiving any input typed into the type-in line, obtaining and displaying a list of expected contacts based on a likelihood of selection criteria, each of the listed expected contacts being obtained from the at least one contact information directory; and wherein the listed contacts are displayed with two visually distinct groupings of contacts, including a first grouping of contacts and a second grouping of contacts, and wherein the grouping of contacts determined to contain contacts that are the most likely to be selected contacts is displayed above the second grouping of contacts.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 227 words

A method in a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for intuitively obtaining contact information from at least one contact information directory, the method comprising: detecting focus input directed at a type-in line that is displayed at the display device, the type-in line being configured to receive desired contact information for enabling a desired function to be performed with the contact information, wherein the focus input comprises at least one of tabbing a prompt into the type-in line or hovering a pointer over the type-in line; automatically in response to detecting the tabbing of the prompt into the type-in line or the hovering of the pointer over the type-in line, and prior to receiving any input typed into the type-in line, obtaining and displaying a list of expected contacts based on a likelihood of selection criteria, each of the listed expected contacts being obtained from the at least one contact information directory; and wherein the listed contacts are displayed with two visually distinct groupings of contacts, including a first grouping of contacts and a second grouping of contacts, and wherein the grouping of contacts determined to contain contacts that are the most likely to be selected contacts is displayed above the second grouping of contacts.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method as recited in claim 46 , wherein upon receiving typed input received into the type-in line, the method further includes obtaining and displaying a list of unexpected contacts, which is different than the list of expected contacts.

Claim 51

Independent Claim 244 words

A method in a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for intuitively obtaining contact information from at least one contact information directory, the method comprising: detecting focus input directed at a type-in line that is displayed at the display device, the type-in line being configured to receive desired contact information for enabling a desired function to be performed with the contact information, wherein the focus input comprises at least one of tabbing a prompt into the type-in line or hovering a pointer over the type-in line; automatically in response to detecting the tabbing of the prompt into the type-in line or the hovering of the pointer over the type-in line, and prior to receiving any input typed into the type-in line, obtaining and displaying a list of expected contacts based on a likelihood of selection criteria, each of the listed expected contacts being obtained from the at least one contact information directory; and wherein the list of expected contacts comprises a first list of expected contacts and wherein the method further comprises an act of automatically displaying a second list in response to receiving input selecting a first selected contact from the first list of expected contacts and wherein the second list comprises a plurality of contact information associated with the first selected contact and that is displayed with the first list.

Claim 52

Independent Claim 244 words

A method in a computing system that is connected with a display device and that includes a user interface that is configured to display contact information at the display device, a method for intuitively obtaining contact information from at least one contact information directory, the method comprising: detecting focus input directed at a type-in line that is displayed at the display device, the type-in line being configured to receive desired contact information for enabling a desired function to be performed with the contact information, wherein the focus input comprises at least one of tabbing a prompt into the type-in line or hovering a pointer over the type-in line; automatically in response to detecting the tabbing of the prompt into the type-in line or the hovering of the pointer over the type-in line, and prior to receiving any input typed into the type-in line, obtaining and displaying a list of expected contacts based on a likelihood of selection criteria, each of the listed expected contacts being obtained from the at least one contact information directory; and wherein the list of expected contacts comprises a first list of expected contacts and wherein the method further comprises an act of automatically displaying a second list in response to receiving input selecting a first selected contact from the first list of expected contacts and wherein the second list comprises a plurality of contact information associated with the first selected contact and that is displayed with the first list.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2011-08-26	2012-02-25	2012-08-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2015-08-26	2016-02-25	2016-08-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2019-08-26	2020-02-25	2020-08-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Contact picker interface

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